Powerless Boy is reborn as Lustful Elf
Chapter 65: The assembly

Chapter 65: The assembly

The grand hall of Starhaven Academy shimmered like a jewel carved from starlight, its marble floors veined with gold, walls pulsing with soft, iridescent light that shifted from sapphire to emerald.

Floating chandeliers cast prismatic glows, their crystals tinkling faintly, while towering arches framed stained-glass windows depicting elven heroes in vibrant hues.

Alex stood just inside the entrance, his green tunic and Elaris crest catching the light, his blonde hair a tousled contrast to the polished chaos around him.

Sylra’s arm was looped through his, her auburn hair bouncing as she chattered, her excitement a warm current pulling him along.

But his focus lingered on Lirien, the tall girl with glossy black hair and violet eyes, whose bold introduction still echoed in his mind.

"Everyone’s buzzing about you," Lirien had said, her voice smooth and teasing, and Alex felt a jolt of surprise, his confident smirk faltering.

People were talking about him already? He hadn’t been here long enough to make waves, or so he thought.

"Uh, hey," he mumbled, his usual charm stumbling as he met her gaze.

Her hand clasped his, warm and firm, lingering a beat too long, her smile curling with a hint of mischief that made his pulse skip.

Her fingers grazed his palm as she released him, and she opened her mouth to say more, her violet eyes glinting with intent.

A sharp, resonant bell cut through the air, its chime echoing off the walls like a call to battle.

Students froze, then surged toward the hall’s center, a tide of colorful tunics and glinting crests.

"Assembly!" Sylra squealed, grabbing Alex’s wrist with a strength that belied her petite frame.

"Come on!" She dragged him forward, her boots clicking on the marble, her enthusiasm infectious despite his lingering shock.

Lirien flashed a parting grin, vanishing into the crowd, her black hair a sleek ripple among the sea of students.

Alex let Sylra pull him along, his mind spinning, how did news travel so fast in this place?

The assembly hall was a cavernous marvel, its domed ceiling painted with constellations that seemed to pulse with real starlight.

Rows of cushioned benches curved in a semicircle, filled with students whispering and shifting, their crests glinting like badges of pride.

Sylra plopped onto a bench near the front, tugging Alex beside her, her eyes wide with anticipation.

"This is gonna be big," she whispered, nudging him, her grin practically glowing. Alex managed a smirk, his confidence creeping back, though the weight of unseen eyes prickled his neck.

He scanned the crowd, catching curious glances, some intrigued, others wary, and his surprise deepened.

He was a topic, a mystery, and he hadn’t even done anything yet.

A hush fell as a woman strode onto the raised platform at the hall’s center, her presence commanding the space like a storm rolling in.

The principal was beautiful, her features sharp yet graceful, with high cheekbones and eyes like polished obsidian, gleaming with authority.

Her silver hair was swept into a sleek bun, a single emerald pin glinting, and her gown, simple in cut but woven with threads that shimmered faintly, was a nod to practicality, yet far more glamorous than Griesla’s understated dresses.

The resemblance struck Alex: the same quiet poise, the same pale elegance, but where Griesla was a soft whisper, this woman was a clarion call, her strictness etched in the set of her jaw, the unyielding line of her posture.

She lifted her hand slowly, deliberately, and just like that, the room fell silent.

Conversations cut off mid-sentence, chairs stopped shifting, and even the air seemed to pause. Every head turned, every gaze locked on her, like gravity itself had changed direction and she was the new center of it all.

"Good morning, students of Starhaven," she began, her voice clear and resonant, slicing through the air like a blade. " I have an important announcement."

Her gaze drifted slowly across the crowd, cool and deliberate, like she was scanning for something, or someone.

When her eyes landed on Alex, they lingered just a second too long, a subtle shift in her expression

Alex wondered was it judgment? Curiosity? Whatever it was, it passed almost instantly, smoothed over as quickly as it came, and she moved on, her attention slipping away like it had never stopped.

"Today, we welcome a new student, an unusual development for our academy. His name is Alex."

A murmur rippled through the hall, heads turning, eyes locking onto Alex with a mix of curiosity and shock.

He shifted, his smirk twitching, caught between pride and unease.

Sylra squeezed his arm, her grin unwavering, but the whispers grew, some students clearly hadn’t heard about him, their surprise crackling like static.

Principal Veyra raised her hand again, silencing them. "Change cannot always be avoided," she said, her tone firm, brooking no argument.

"The Council has certified Alex’s safety and deemed him fit to join us. You will treat him with respect, as you would any member of this academy."

The murmurs rippled through the crowd once more, swelling into something louder, more insistent this time.

A low hum of voices layered over each other, thick with a mix of excitement and skepticism.

It wasn’t just idle chatter anymore; it had taken on a pulse of its own, like the room was holding its breath while still trying to talk over itself.

People were leaning in, exchanging quick glances, half-whispers turning into full-on speculation.

Alex’s chest tightened, his confidence wobbling under the weight of their stares.

He was used to attention, thrived on it in fact, but this was different, a scrutiny that felt like it could peel him apart.

Sylra leaned in, whispering, "They’re just surprised ," her voice a lifeline, but before he could respond, a sharp voice cut through the din, male and laced with defiance.

"This is wrong!" The words rang out, slicing into Alex’s ears like a thrown dagger.

Heads swiveled, searching for the speaker, and Alex’s gaze darted, his pulse spiking.

The voice came from somewhere in the back..